Nissan backs off from Goodwood reverse-race car stunt

Arse-backwards attempt kyboshed

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Organisers of the Goodwood Festival of Speed have stopped Nissan's attempt to drive one of its jalopies up the Hill Climb course backwards.

The Japanese manufacturer did manage to send a stuntman in a Nissan up the track on two wheels. But organisers put the kybosh on the reverse attempt on safety grounds.

The idea – which probably should have remained in the PRs' heads – was to remove limiters from the car's reverse gear, allowing the car to go as fast backwards as forwards. The Nissan LEAF has a top speed of 90mph.

Goodwood used to host proper motor racing from 1948 until 1966. It was stopped because the owner Lord March could not bear how many drivers were being killed. Racing on the course began again in 1998 with the launch of the Goodwood Revival. ®